I just wanted to show you guys a few pictures I've taken, maybe you guys could help me improve also
(I don't edit them, use tri-pods, and I try and surprise them hehe.)

1. Just a picture of me.


2. Another picture of me.


3. My buddy.


4. My photo buddy.


5. I like taking her pictures.


6.


7.

you're first 2 photos are extremely grainy. reduce your iso and try some more. i always suggest to try to use the lowest iso you can for your lighting (use your shutter speed and aperture to adjust your exposure.) if you have to use a tripod with an extended exposure.

photo 3: its out of focus unless you were trying to focus on the hat. the framing of the photo is also not right. id take a read of this and google around for some more framing techniques (there is at least 5-10 i can list right now.) http://www.journographica.com/2011/05/15/basic-photo-tips-framing-your-shots/

photo 4: id just delete it. its not framed at all subject is in motion blur due to shutter speed and looks like a myspace picture.

photo 5: framing. that pole to the right is distracting i would of moved her over to the left more and re-centered yourself to her. you might be able to frame this one via cropping.

photo 6: your white balance is off and or over exposed. (adjust your shutter speed/ set your auto white balance options on your camera) framing is a tad off.

photo 7: a bit better. the paper is distracting. framing framing framing.

overall 6 and 7 are the better of the photos. read through framing techniques and tips on google. memorize them. (have you ever wondered why movie producers on tv do that square thing with their fingers? its not just a joke theyre trying to frame lol). you should be able to look through your view finder and distinctly know what framing methods would be best suited for the current situation and take the photos without thinking.

some examples of frames (disregard the distracting backgrounds on some of these i took them quickly to show my brother some easy frames to do).

center framing:
http://i.imgur.com/375kv.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FOMgf.jpg

portrait chest up (head shot forgot its real naming terms.)
http://i.imgur.com/XF5y7.jpg

rule of thirds
http://i.imgur.com/emdEw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4hCfq.jpg

but dont limit yourself to just the traditional frames sometimes you can take good photos without any framing.
http://i.imgur.com/zRM5V.jpg

This post was edited by AbDuCt on Nov 30 2012 02:42pm

Yea, most of these photos were taking while I was either standing or walking. Also, it's hard to get good lighting most of the time here (Winter in Washington....)

But I will try and practice with framing and the rule of thirds.

Thank you for some input

out of focus
noise
low dof
need to white balance
over exposed

Few more, with more time put into them. /e As always, not edited in any way.

1. Found my friend, he got out of class so I could take pictures of him, and this is the only one I liked.


2. Took this while she heard about the shooting in Connecticut. I really like it.


3. An assignment I had to do in class. Thought I'd do something fun. (Triptych)


4. Another assignment. Had to do a self portrait and decided I'd show off my eye. Hehe.


This post was edited by Azure_Shadow on Dec 21 2012 12:10pm

#1 is underexposed, unless you did that on purpose, in which case that tone adds little to nothing to the composition.

#2 is pretty good, shows the emotion and distress, but why sepia??

#3 is what it is, a school project

#4 i dont do much macro/eye shots so i'll refrain on commenting

there are ways to overcome low lighting, higher iso, lower shutter speed, greater aperture...

keep snapping because thats the only way to get better.

Thank you for the honest comments/ opinions.

Will keep trying

Work on composition. Don't do Macro shots. It won't improve your photography skill.
Abduct posted good examples about centering, portraits and rule of thirds.

Best way to improve is by shooting stationary objects first and then people.

Photography is not only about taking photos. It could go as far from basic of rules of art.

It's ok to have fun with your camera but make sure you experiment with shooting Manual. If you learn to shoot manual I guarantee you'll get really nice photos.

P/S/A and Auto modes suck. You can use P/S/A mode when you do street photography (places like hong kong or downtown) since you wont have time moving your dials while things are in motion. That is when your judgement of composition needs to shine.
Autofocus is ok though... its more accurate for most ppl.

If you have access to photoshop or lightroom, shooting RAW is a must. If you got a a nice sharp clean shot you could alter it later to make it look even more nice and how you want it to look instead of having the camera process it for you.
I recommend this since your starting photography, its best practice to learn it professionally at the same time

This post was edited by Irresistable on Dec 27 2012 10:52pm

i forgot to mention, and idk if anyone else did, but read your camera manual and test out all the functions. get comfortable with manual controls and learning exposure. once you learn the rules, then you can break a few here and there

agree with all except this
its a stupid statement
majority of photography (including the very best proffesionals) is shot in aperture priority
manual is generally only used in special circumstances and when using off camera flash
A - landscapes, portraits etc
S - sports etc
M - flash, sunsets etc